It’s no secret that Donald Trump has never been fond of America’s top universities — and the feeling appears mutual, especially when it comes to Barack Obama’s view of Trump. But according to many observers, Obama’s latest remarks might just be his most pointed yet.

“I have deep differences of opinion…”

Despite sharing a light moment together at Jimmy Carter’s memorial, the ideological gap between Barack Obama and Donald Trump remains vast.

Earlier this month, during a speech at Hamilton College in Clinton, New York, Obama didn’t mince words when referring to his former successor — who now holds the presidency once again.

“I have deep differences of opinion with my most immediate successor — who’s now president once again,” Obama stated.
He continued, “There are a host of policies that we could be discussing where I have strong opinions,” and pointed out his belief that the government’s commitment to core values has “eroded.”

One issue clearly weighing on Obama is the Trump administration’s treatment of Harvard University — an institution close to his heart, having earned his law degree there.

The controversy centers on the Department of Education’s decision to freeze an eye-popping $2.3 billion in federal funding for Harvard. This came after the university refused to comply with several demands issued by the Trump administration.

Among those demands: dismantling diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, banning masks at protests, enforcing merit-based hiring and admissions, and reducing the influence of faculty and administrators — whom the administration accused of being “more committed to activism than scholarship.”

“The University will not surrender”

The White House claims these demands aim to combat antisemitism on campus and are focused on hiring, admissions, and course content.